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I don't get it 14.4>26

youngmaid

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Hi Everyone!

How ARE you all?! I hope all is well! Mercury Retrograde is in full effect, but the forced chillaxation is so beautiful! Been nice to look at the sky without hearing the noise of the planes overhead :)

OK, so random: I submitted my work to this writing competition months ago. On the submission form, it said that the winners would be notified at the beginning of April, latest. Haven't heard anything AT ALL. I've been checking out their website and their Facebook page from time to time, but no word, even though they're hosting events in the next four weeks to honor the celebratory-contest-related-issue. A person posted a comment on the Facebook page, asking whether or not the winners of the contest would be revealed now, or whether it was an Oscar moment at the event. They completely ignored that question and digressed on another topic. Also, another person asked on Twitter whether or not they've chosen the winners yet. The response to the Twitter question was "Come to the event and all will be revealed!"

I'm not OVERLY tripping on what the outcome will be, but honestly, I'm definitely interested in knowing what the results are, come what may.

I asked the I Ching "Am I one of the three finalists/winners of this competition?" I got 14.4 > 26. That, shockingly, is a very positive response, at least from my perspective.

Then I asked "Has the magazine contacted the competition winners yet?" I got 63.4.5>55. To me, this indicates that they in fact HAVE notified the winners already. So, if that's the case, why did I get such a positive response in the form of 14.4>26 (which I interpreted as a big fat "yes") to my initial question? If I may be a winner and they have contacted winners already, then why haven't I heard word? Of course, in reality, I'm probably not a winner, but the I Ching never steered me wrong, so I'm wondering what's going on.

If I won or lose, whatever, at least I tried. I feel great for even submitting my work and having the opportunity for other people to read it. That's a serious blessing. Still though, I asked super direct questions and I got super direct answers that seem to negate each other.

Am I blindly interpreting this? Kinda confused.

Thanks for reading this! I would really appreciate your help. Have an amazing day! xx
 

gato

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I asked the I Ching "Am I one of the three finalists/winners of this competition?" I got 14.4 > 26. That, shockingly, is a very positive response, at least from my perspective.

looks like a no to me but try once again.
 

youngmaid

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looks like a no to me but you try once again.

Hi Gato!

Thanks for your response. Yeah, I kind of figured that line 4 indicated a "no", but then, why are both hexagrams so positive? I find it incredibly confusing.
 

gato

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why are both hexagrams so positive? I find it incredibly confusing.

maybe the background is very positive ... maybe you have real talent, or real chances to win that contest
 

gene

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youngmaid

I would be careful about asking specific yes or no questions, the I Ching usually does not respond that way. That being said, One commentary on this line says, "He does not dare exceed his position." In other words, it is not whether you got it or not, it seems to be saying more, pushing the issue may not initially work for you. I can certainly understand your frustration. Often employers will only notify the person who got the job and not anyone else. However, this situation does seem at least a touch unethical. It seems the only thing you can do is go to the event.

Good luck
Gene
 

Trojina

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Why would 14.4 be seen as a no :confused:

it doesn't say either yes or no IMO it goes beyond all that stuff , totally beyond it, and advises you not to get into comparing yourself to other people...which is the purpose of the question...

i guess one could say why is Yi advising you not to measure your worth against others..is it a kind of consolation..and to be honest i do find this with Yi, that sometimes answers I don't want have a strong element of consolation ..which can sometimes be in a roundabout way construed as a 'no' but one couldn't confidently deduce that i don't think


In any case i think 14.4 advises you not to compare yourself, to value yourself just as yourself...that way you will keep on writing, expressing yourself, whereas if you are always thinking of appraisal it may deter you from full self expression
 
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youngmaid

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Wow. You guys are amazing.

Gato, yeah, totally, maybe I DO have talent, which is sort of an issue I've been grappling with recently, as I've just started submitting my work to lit mags this year and, although rejection is part of the process, it's still hard to save face when people don't publish your work. So, behind the scenes, maybe the editors thought it was really good, but it didn't quite cut it for this competition specifically.

Yeah Gene, I need to stop asking yes or no questions. I've been trying to switch up my I Ching practice recently by asking very literal, concrete questions, but clearly that's not the way to go. So I'm going to have to revise that whole situation and come up with a different, less hard-fact oriented approach. And, you're so right, even if there's some kind of shadiness going on behind the scenes, I'm just going to have to go to the event and see what the ultimate outcome is.

Trojan, after your response, I'm totally reading this as a consolation answer. It's odd, because the I Ching has totally had my back when I consult it for writing related questions. After going to a reading (oddly, it was hosted by the same magazine that had this contest), I came back home, scared but inspired, and asked if I could become the writer I want to be in my dreams. I got 7.1.3.4.5.6 to 1. I also asked, later, if I had a readership for the kind of work I produce (which is kinda experimental). I asked if people would want to read it. I got 11.2.3.4.5.6 to 25.

So, in essence, the I Ching is totally supportive of me in terms of my writing endeavors. It's been incredible, because the ENTIRE year, the Oracle has ixnayed all of my other pursuits, and has basically told me to focus on my writing. And, it looks like that's just what I'm gonna have to do...hardcore, no matter what happens.

Back to this 14.4>26 hexagram though. Seriously, I'm not harping on it, it's clear that I didn't win, and this is ultimately a consolation answer, but I just find this specific changing line extraordinary. I think it's interesting, particularly because it seems to indicate not to brag when you've accumulated great things, or made a great achievement. Here are some interpretations of the line that particularly speak to me:

"He makes a difference
Between himself and his neighbor.
No blame.
This characterizes the position of a man placed among rich and powerful neighbors. It is a dangerous position. He must look neither to the right nor to the left, and must shun envy and the temptation to vie with others. In this way he remains free of mistakes."--Wilhelm

"He keeps his great resources under restraint: his wisdom discriminates clearly what he ought to do."--James Legge and King Wan

"Humble before the Treasure – He recognizes that his vast supply of wealth is in his possession through no merit of his own. Thus said, he bows humbly and is thankful for what he has been given to steward."--answercult.com

But then there's a flipside, saying don't envy others when they've beat you out, don't try to match people:

"Do not seek dominance. This is not a mistake. Don't try to be the boss. The time is wrong for that. Let your Friend shine. Bring out other people's qualities. Be very clear about this. You will not be making a mistake."--Stephen Karcher

"Quell your pride and envy and do not attempt to compete with others or emulate those in power. Give your full attention to the business at hand and you will avoid mistakes."--R.L. Wing


What an interesting line! It seems so duplicitous! Don't brag when you're amongst the company of wealthy people and also, don't envy their wealth! Where does that leave me?

At the end of the day, as you all have stated, it just seems like the ultimate goal of the line is to enforce the idea of staying focused and staying true to yourself, regardless of the external circumstance/influence.

I know you are all busy people, but I wonder what you think of this line? ESPECIALLY since it leads to 26. It's like back to back goodness.
 
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willowfox

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I asked the I Ching "Am I one of the three finalists/winners of this competition?" I got 14.4 > 26.

Then I asked "Has the magazine contacted the competition winners yet?" I got 63.4.5>55.

Line 14.4 indicates quite clearly that you want to win, that you want to be the best of the best but this line says let it all go.

Hex 26 is about polishing your talents for later more productive uses, as you need to think bigger things than mere competitions.
 

Trojina

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"Humble before the Treasure – He recognizes that his vast supply of wealth is in his possession through no merit of his own. Thus said, he bows humbly and is thankful for what he has been given to steward."--answercult.com

But then there's a flipside, saying don't envy others when they've beat you out, don't try to match people:

"Do not seek dominance. This is not a mistake. Don't try to be the boss. The time is wrong for that. Let your Friend shine. Bring out other people's qualities. Be very clear about this. You will not be making a mistake."--Stephen Karcher

"Quell your pride and envy and do not attempt to compete with others or emulate those in power. Give your full attention to the business at hand and you will avoid mistakes."--R.L. Wing


What an interesting line! It seems so duplicitous! Don't brag when you're amongst the company of wealthy people and also, don't envy their wealth! Where does that leave me?

At the end of the day, as you all have stated, it just seems like the ultimate goal of the line is to enforce the idea of staying focused and staying true to yourself, regardless of the external circumstance/influence.

I know you are all busy people, but I wonder what you think of this line? ESPECIALLY since it leads to 26. It's like back to back goodness.

I don't see any duplicity at all. Don't understand the comment 'where does that leave me' :confused: I don't see 26 as particularly important in the reading...but what does 'goodness' have to do with winning anyway ?
 

Trojina

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What an interesting line! It seems so duplicitous! Don't brag when you're amongst the company of wealthy people and also, don't envy their wealth! Where does that leave me?

At the end of the day, as you all have stated, it just seems like the ultimate goal of the line is to enforce the idea of staying focused and staying true to yourself, regardless of the external circumstance/influence.

I know you are all busy people, but I wonder what you think of this line? ESPECIALLY since it leads to 26. It's like back to back goodness.

I don't see any duplicity at all. Don't understand the comment 'where does that leave me' :confused: I don't see 26 as particularly important in the reading...but what does 'goodness' have to do with winning anyway ? Not much really
 
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youngmaid

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Line 14.4 indicates quite clearly that you want to win, that you want to be the best of the best but this line says let it all go.

Hex 26 is about polishing your talents for later more productive uses, as you need to think bigger things than mere competitions.

Hi Willowfox,

Thanks so much for this reading. As always, you're my Yi savior, and your reading further elucidates absolutely everything.

This competition was small. I've got to rethink my game plan. Any publication, no matter how small the magazine, is super important for an unknown like me, but the Yi keeps suggesting in various readings the need to think bigger, broaden the scope. Don't know how to do this since I'm completely unknown on the literary scene, but I guess, as in the case with all fate-related things, the opportunity will hopefully appear somehow in the future?
 

youngmaid

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I don't see any duplicity at all. Don't understand the comment 'where does that leave me' :confused: I don't see 26 as particularly important in the reading...but what does 'goodness' have to do with winning anyway ? Not much really

Hi Trojan,

Thanks. Yeah, you're totally right. "Goodness" has nothing to do with winning. I can be good in the losing circle.
 

willowfox

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Don't know how to do this since I'm completely unknown on the literary scene, but I guess, as in the case with all fate-related things, the opportunity will hopefully appear somehow in the future?

Weren't all famous authors once complete unknowns, think J.K.Rowling for instance. And poor old Edgar Allen Poe.
 

youngmaid

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Weren't all famous authors once complete unknowns, think J.K.Rowling for instance. And poor old Edgar Allen Poe.

Hi Willowfox,

Absolutely! Arguably, every single famous author out there came from the bottom up! They got rejected like thousands of times before they finally published their work, total rags to riches stories!

Thanks for pointing that out to me, it's totally encouraging. :)

I guess my problem is that I've been hell bent on enacting this sort of " lit-mag publication plan", trying to get a little bit of stuff published so that when the book I'm working on is completed, publishers will be more likely to want to take on the manuscript. Honestly, I thought that was a good plan! But clearly, it may not be. Looks like another question for the Oracle is brewing! HAHAHA!

Seriously though Willowfox, thanks for your advice and for sending lots of insight and positivity my way. I really appreciate it.
 

youngmaid

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By the way, don't know if you guys are interested, but the Yi and all of you who so kindly offered your insights (Gato, Gene, Trojan and Willowfox) were right. I didn't win! The day after I initially posted this thread, the magazine updated their website saying they finally selected and notified all of the contest winners.

Cheers again for your help :) xx
 

gato

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Sorry to hear that ... you don't need to be good to be published, you just need a Name :) . so build one.
 

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